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Hydrology Lecture-2 H
Hydrology Lecture-2 H
Hydrology Lecture-2 H
Lecture No. # 02
Meteorology
o Meteorology
o Atmospheric structure
o Vapor pressure
o Atmospheric variables
Meteorology
Meteorology is the science related to the atmosphere which is the gaseous envelope
surrounding the earth.
Meteorology is the study of weather variables, the processes that causes weather and
the interaction of the atmosphere with Earth’s surface, ocean and life.
Climatology
Climatology is the study of climate. Climatologists examine the long term averages
and extremes of climate.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere forms a distinctive, protective layer about 100 km thick around the
earth.
The term is derived from the Greek word atmos (vapor or breath) + sphaira (sphere or
ball).
The atmosphere consists of dry air, water vapor and various kinds of salts and dusts.
Total amount of dry air is greater than 5600 billion tons.
Total amount of water vapor is about 146 billion tons.
Atmosphere
Atmosphere
Aerosols
Atmospheric structure
The Earth's atmosphere is divided into four layers based on air temperature
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Water vapor
Water vapor is the most important constituent of the atmosphere. The amount of
water in the atmosphere is of great importance in hydrology. Condensation of moist
air causes precipitation.
Water vapor also significantly effects the rate of evapotranspiration. The amount of
water vapor in the atmosphere is directly related to the temperature.
Although water vapor is lighter than air, it is restricted to the lower layers of the
troposphere because temperature decreases with altitude.
The distribution of water vapor also varies over the earth’s surface according to
temperature, and is lowest at the poles and highest in Equatorial regions.
Vapor Pressure
Vapor Pressure
It is the pressure that vapor would exert in the absence of other gases. It is also
known as partial pressure.
When a sample of air holds the maximum quantity of water vapors at a particular
temperature it is said to be saturated.
The pressure exerted by water vapors, when the air is fully saturated with water
vapors is known as the saturation vapor pressure.
Vapor Pressure
Relative Humidity
It is the relative measure of the amount of moisture in the air to the amount needed
to saturate the air at the same temperature, i.e.,
Absolute Humidity
It is the mass of water vapor per unit volume of air at a given temperature and
equivalent to the water vapor density.
= mw/V
Dew Point
When the air is cooled at a constant atmospheric pressure, the temperature at which
air becomes saturated is called Dew Point.
Saturation vapor pressure and
temperature
Wind speed is the rate of the movement of wind in distance per unit of time. It is the
rate of the movement of air flow.
The direction and speed of the wind are most important features of the weather.
Solar radiation
The solar radiation that passes directly to the earth’s surface is called Direct Solar
Radiation.
The radiation that has been scattered out of the direct beam is called Diffuse Solar
Radiation.
The direct component of sunlight and the diffuse component of skylight falling
together on a horizontal surface make up Global Solar Radiation.
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